All of the “things” you did not know you needed. Until now.
Kitchen Utensils
There are approximately 1,000,001 different options for kitchen utensils out there of varying price and quality. Please allow me to make your life easier with my personal recommendations below. Not every utensil listed here is totally necessary, but I would recommend them. These are tried-and-true as I have personally owned and used all of the items listed.
If you are seeking more premium utensil options, check out the Staub silicone collection: Staub Silicone Cooking Utensil Set (5-Piece). I own these as well and they are absolutely wonderful. A high-quality salt & pepper mill set is also a really nice thing to have, but is more of a luxury. However, if you do want a nice set I would opt for the French made: Peugeot Paris u’Select 6-Setting Manual Salt & Pepper Mill Set (9”). This is not the exact set I own, but very close— mine are stainless steel with a carbon finish opposed to wooden.
Woodlands USA Bamboo Kitchen Utensil Set (6-Pieces)
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Tongs (12”)
KitchenAid Silicone Tipped Stainless Steel Tongs (12”)
Lamson 3”x5” Rectangular Turner
OXO Good Grips Small Silicone Turner
OXO Good Grips Silicone Whisk Set (2-Piece)
OXO Good Grips Silicone Basting Brush
Gadgets & Small Appliances
Counter and storage space eventually becomes an issue in every kitchen, but there are so many cool things to fill that space with— so, what should you prioritize? The two primary counter-top small appliances that I personally prioritize are an air fryer and a quality rice cooker. I have the Cuisinart 8-in-1 Air Fryer + Convection Oven and the Tiger Tacook Rice Cooker (linked below) in my kitchen. The Cuisinart appliance allows me to cook smaller meals more efficiently and it has multiple functions. Additionally, at just 12.25”D x 15.75”W x 13.75”H, it is one of the best space saving countertop air fryer + convection ovens on the market. A high-quality rice cooker is a workhorse and you can actually make entire meals in it as well as seen in a few recipes listed on this site.
I do also have a Crock-Pot for those days that I want or need to leave home and feel safe setting-and-forgetting something I am cooking. It’s nice to come home to a meal that’s already done and I don’t have to worry about braising anything in the oven. The one small appliance I have never actually owned though is an Instant Pot. Wild, I know. People live and die by those things. Perhaps I will join team Instant Pot someday, but until then…
Cuisinart 8-in-1 Air Fryer + Convection Oven
Tiger Tacook Rice Cooker (5.5 cup)
Instant Pot 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker (6 QT)
KitchenAid Food Processor (3.5 cup)
Wiselife Anti-Fatigue Non-Slip Waterproof Floor Mat
Cleaning Supplies
Here are a few cleaning supplies you may want to consider having in your kitchen beside just the standard dish and hand soap. Not all scrubbers and dish sponges are created equal either— some are most definitely way better than others. Some other items you’ll find on this list are quality-of-life improvements that I keep around and you will thank me later if you do too. Just trust me.
Scotch-Brite Stay Clean Scrubbers (4-Pack)
Umbra Saddle Caddy Sponge Holder
Lodge Scraper Combo (Set of 2)
Clorox Free & Clear Compostable Cleaning Wipes (3-Pack)
Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser (28 fl oz)
Med Pride Vinyl Gloves Latex, Rubber & Powder-Free (100-count)
Thirteen Chefs Food Grade Mineral Oil (12 oz)
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